Hi,
I am thinking of learning to play the Mandolin/Mandola, I haven't fully decided what variation I want yet. I don't want to spend more than £350 on the instrument and was looking at a few options.
I would prefer an F Shape purely for Aesthetic reasons, but I realise options are limited at my price point. Ideally it should also have a pickup, or I could add one if it wasn't too expensive.
I looked at the Loar LM310F, which isn't available in the UK but is available for £250 in the US.
I am also not sure if I should get a Mandolin, a Mandola or even an Octave Mandolin. I'm slightly worried at the short scale of the Mandolin, while I don't have large fingers, I found it difficult to play a Soprano Uke.
Comments
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
it needed work but it is a very useable mando
my main one is a moon guitars handmade number from a Scottish luthier
if you can stretch you really should...
its like the difference between a 300 quid Tanglewood acoustic and a Martin or a Taylor
once you have played one it is very difficult to go back to the budget range
i can play the mandolin ok but it does hurt after a while
again the moon one doubles the amount of time I can play with better action and a better neck
but this gives you an idea
I struggle with mandolins.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
(jump to 1:27 for actual playing)
I really like the look of Eastman mandolins though... made in China but high-end craftsmanship and wood choices/details that would cost literally thousands more in some cases if they were on an MIA product.
I love the look of the MD315, it's available for $700 in the US which is just under £550, I might pick that up when I go to the US next summer.
Though, having gone there, I then went over to Paul Hathway's place and treated myself
In the end I went got a Small Strings mandolin which is very nice.
You'll have the same problems with an octave mandolin as you will with a mandolin. That, and they sound totally different and serve different purposes.
The problem with buying a mandolin, is that unless you want to spend serious money (£500 upwards) they're going to need setting up at the very least. It's not like the guitar market, where you can get a nice player for £100.
If you budget in a setup (which will almost certainly involve having the nut recut) you'll be fine. I've had one of these which was fine after a setup. A used Kentucky/Eastman/Loar/higher end Ozark would be better.